Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Joseph, Rigaud (BSW, MSW, PhD)

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects millions of children in the United States. However, there is a lack of services to meet the needs of children with ASD, especially in desert areas. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) identify factors associated with the lack of services for children with ASD in desert cities of Southern California and 2) explore ways to address the needs of children with ASD in the desert cities of Southern California. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with families that have one or more children diagnosed with ASD and service providers serving children with ASD (n = 9). Thematic analysis results reveal that 1) many factors (high demands, difficulty receiving some services, lack of government funding, staff shortages, affordability issues, disconnect between parents and providers 1) explain the lack of services for children with ASD and 2) a multifaceted approach is needed to meet the needs of children with ASD. The findings of this study not only bring awareness about the lack of service delivery in remote areas but also identify concrete ways to meet the needs of children with ASD in such places. Therefore, the findings of this study carry major implications for social work research and practice.

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